Police: Progress in mine violence probes
2012-10-08 22:21
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Police
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Johannesburg - Investigations into crimes related to strikes in the mining industry are "making steady progress", the SA Police Service said on Monday.
"Contrary to comments in the media by various quarters alleging the lack of progress in the investigations into these crimes, investigators are conducting thorough investigations and making steady progress," Captain Dennis Adriao said.
He said all investigations had to be conducted within regulatory frameworks and the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act.
A task team, led by a senior commander, was investigating strike-related crime in the Rustenburg area. The investigations were being conducted in co-operation with the National Prosecuting Authority.
"All information which is provided to the police also needs to meet the requirements of the legal framework so as to be admissible as evidence."
Adriao urged anyone with information about the crimes to contact the police.
"The [SA Police Service] SAPS will continue to welcome and meet any party who may contribute to the prevention and investigation of crime thus ensuring public safety."
On Sunday, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said the cousin of a shop steward was shot dead in Marikana on Saturday.
The NUM believed the killers mistook the man for his cousin.
On Friday night, an NUM branch leader was shot dead at his home in Marikana, in what Seshoka described as an "assassination".
"This comes after the death of the NUM branch chairperson last weekend and the attack on another branch leader, who escaped whilst his wife was killed," said Seshoka.
The union criticised the police's response to the killings.
"The NUM is highly perturbed by the inefficiency of the police, in that of the many cases reported in Marikana there is yet to be any progress in the arrest and prosecution of any suspect."
- SAPA
